Russia approves detailed sanctions against Turkey over downed plane

Reuters Staff

2 Min Read

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev approved a raft of sanctions against Turkey in retaliation for the downing of a Russian warplane, but the measures stuck largely to what Moscow had previously threatened and had several notable omissions.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev chairs a meeting with government members and other officials in Moscow, Russia, December 1, 2015. REUTERS/Alexander Astafyev/Sputnik/Pool

The order, published on the government’s official website on Tuesday, listed agricultural products that Russia would no longer import from Turkey from Jan. 1, 2016 and formalized a ban on charter flights to Turkey from Dec. 1.

But it did not target important energy projects such as the Turkish Stream gas pipeline or food stuffs such as lemons or nuts, most of which Russia imports from Turkey.

Relations between Moscow and Ankara have sharply deteriorated since Turkey shot down the Russian fighter bomber near the Syrian-Turkish border on Nov. 24.

Turkish officials say the plane violated Turkish air space after being repeatedly warned to change its course. Moscow says the aircraft was over Syria, where Russia is carrying out an air campaign backing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in a four-year-old civil war.

The government order also included a halt on the activity of an inter-governmental trade commission and restrictions on Turkish transport companies.

The list of foods banned from next year included fruit and vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, grapes, apricots and apples, as well as chicken products and salt.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Saturday the sanctions would be imposed. Russian officials have said they could be expanded if necessary.